Clasp



Oct. 27, 1931. MOREHQUSE 1,829,232

CLASP Filed March 25, 1951 w llllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllll illlllllllllllllllllllllllifllllllllllllllfl" v.93

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

' vent crushing thereof.

Patented Oct. 27, 193i UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE EUGENE MOREHOUSE, 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO B. A .BALLDU &

00., INC., A CORPORATION OF R-HODE ISLAND CLASP Application filed March 25, 1931. Serial No. 525,122.

This invention relates to aclasp especially adapted for use in connection with small chains such as key chains and the like, and has for its object to provide a detachable connection between an end of the chain and the clasp which may be easily manipulated for detachment or attachment thereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a clasp which shall have a flat surface for reception of engraving either for ornamental purposes or for identification.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a clasp which may have the chain detachably connected at either end thereof with the chain more easily detached from one end than the other.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a clasp for a chain having an enlarged or ball end with the ball connected to the clasp by an insertion in a slot therein.

. A further object of the invention is the provision of an attachment for a ball portion of a chain at the joint end of the clasp in such a manner that the ball portion will support the joint end of the clas and pre- A still further object of the invention is the utilization of a ball attached to the joint end of the clasp which will shorten the flexing length of the tongue thereof and stiffen the spring action thereof.

With these and other objects and adva-n .tageous features in View, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central sectional view of my clasp with a key chain and key mounted thereon shown connected thereto;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the clasp with the chain in fragmental portions and showing the readily detachable end of the chain as in position to move into or out of the clasp with the tongue flexed;

V Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the clasp with portions of the chain attached thereto;

Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the clasp alone;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the clasp is folded; I Fig. 6 is a bottom plan View of a slightly modified form of clasp showing a loop member connected at the joint end and showing the detachable end of the chain as spaced from the clasp;

Fig. 7 is a sectional shown in Figure 6; v

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the clasp shown in Figure 7 showing the same as attached to an intermediate link of the chain; Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view showing a modified hook opening;

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan .view of another modified form of clasp showing an adaptation for securing the joint end thereof to the intermediate bead or ball of a beaded chain;

view of the clasp ture shown in Figure 10. In the use of key chains and clasps therefor, it is frequently desirable when the same is to be used as a gift item to provide some the reception of ornamentation or a name for identification; also, it is desirable that one end of the chain be easily detached from the clasp for the reception or detachment of a key therefrom, and in order to provide such a clasp, I have folded a strip of sheet stock into generally band shape providing a hook at one end and a tongue for closing this hook, and have suitably apertured the hook for the reception of the ball or enlarged end of a member attached to a chain and arranged the tongue so as to close or restrict the aperture .to prevent accidental detachment therefrom,

the length of. movement of the tongue, and then to stiffen its action; and the following Fig. 11 is a side elevation with the strucmeans for presenting an observed face for V is a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention, illustrating the i preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accompllshed.

With reference to the drawings, designates a key chain having a key-I6 niolinted thereon. At one end of thechainthere is provided a member 17 with an enlargedor ball endl S thereon anl 'a narrow neckipjortion 19 adjacent thereto, of the chain a similar member 20 is provided having a ball end 21 and a narrow neck 22.

clasp for receiving these members 17 and 20 is illustrated generally "931323 andisforrned byio di la a S ri detest Stock 2 i trated in Figure ;5 retina body portion "25in 1109 190 911 2 2 tongue 28 eXt-endmgfromthe fielded or joint end 29 to close-thehook and *provide a g'enerallj band-shaped construction,-

The hook -26fis provided vvith-an aperture '30, generally iith V l. rged opening 31laiid-a more restricted open.- ee;.3 m e th aperture 33 7 comprising a narrow slot 34 extending from the end 35, thereofandextend in g ab'oiit the bend at the joirit; end 29' and termtnatitgint'l ger opening. 36. I

{Hie inrnber' 17fis ins'' ted into the fjoint end-ofthe clasp by'itsjiieclgportion 19Qentering the mouth 85 of 'thejslbt "331 and "being mitteli n iztt -i "i t l'QQt i thelafgerportion he" opening'36tvhere' it fallo' 'edifj "ejfr'e'edom or'fino've'me'nt with reagents ttj the crisp. i jrhettn eteis tests vvithin theenlarg'ed 'cii cnlarlport'ifon stat the joint end 29 ofthe'claspand isrestricte'd'in ttisfp i t tn ,b'vi t fi r h "teagt' and the "is'sol'o'c teiilfas to supfperttlie ton'g i at'thejoint rid'29,?ttit1s1pre- 'fii t i i y r n a th 'e' d ft ii i and fals changing'thelpoint of "flexing of the toagte 'tening'itsflength" of resilient 'firotetne t; th 1 bvstifie'nirig the attibn "(if t the, tongue t desirable degree;

end 'emb r -ZQ "rot "attachz' 'n ntito t f i e ri i y ei i fi 21;. inserted tttt tgirthelenlarged portion 31 l'oftheape'rtiire 'and'the'n its fieckfmeted 'n the slot 32 to the position" illustrated in r 3; it being"tinderstoodthat"the 1 argueze tnrttntxtd"eewa tataiy; as illusrttedq rig' eia, u t m mett (after; vvliich the resilie cy of the tong 'ie'will tettrn itfto enga e thehook 261th sttficienti eitse 6r restrict the'en'trance opening fthe :aperture as prevent aetatnmett ofthe'eiid Z 2Q thetotigt'te" is ijaigfl in "-mo'ved "invvjrdlyag'ain'st its it e-teat tendency to t' ttt t tt r 4 I res ate eases; instead of providin a I as 17 for f attachment :to 'the j oi'nt end, the be reare d as illustrated at39' in Figure tl Without beiiig longififi tndinally thereof, and a loop member lll vvill one end 27 a keyhole slot having an en;

tongue-is provided with an be inserted through theband for connection to the chain 15, the loop member 40 Willbe inserted through the band for connection to the chain 15, the loop may be of any desired shape so as to freely swing in the joint end; and 1, ma restrict its-movement fbfy jfolding inwardly the tongue as at 4 1,ivhich "when the "tongue is moved to a certain extent in openji n'g, {also forms 'a stop -;to further limit its While atitheoppositeend length,of.fflexing novement and 'stitlen the action thereof. The size of the Wire of the l'o'bp 40 may also serve in as vthe ball 18 above described, to support thejeint I I The clasp shownv in Figures 6 and Trnay be "attached intermediate the ends i'of-fthe chain as a't link 43 inthechain 15, in which case the in 1;, t1 ntbe inserted between fthe tongue "tacit-001; and moved. "to "a position Within {the lea 42 o fjth'e 'cla'sip. r other'ins'tan'ce's, ivherfe abeade d'or ballhain e4 is'jused; the stock j'o'f the teng'ne as itlustrated in Figure 10, maybe bent'iniva'r'dly afsfat 46 providing recess fortlie reception Tof the hal 51' the chained which hlrl i place by in a'n's" 0t the flapping inwardly tiny i'nvention, it is o nvi'ous' that other? desired ang" 1n arrangenientimay be:inade the s; it and the scope off the invention fa-s estate-ta theappende' d claims.

I claim: 1. A clasp for a chain or w I the like "comprising a "band-shaped bod'ymember aper- "tn'red to admit anarrotved neck' portion-seje ttr dtqtnittrgttt n-d, and-having areistoc k d tent into a} @eiirttlly 'b shape "with 9k portion apertured' to adinit a narrowed neck portion "secured to an enlarged end, and a resilient 'tongue to obthe same manner struct the entrance or exitfrto -said .-aperture andmiovable L from obstructing osition;

' f3. A clasp generally' band shapef provided with a hook-end and awjoint; er-1d,, awtongue feiztending from said j oint end to :close the heokgea ch end having 7 slots H to receive the neck portion adjacent an enlargedportiomot' chain, said'tongne having a r-inherentresillency tending to engage said hook and close .tlreentrance to said-slots 1 with a 'rtotsktnd" a joint end-With a x as i with tongue extending to close the hook, a chain end member extending through said clasp at said joint end, ineans to engage and restrict said member against movement from said position at the joint end, and means for *relea'sably-at taching an end of the chain to said hook end. 7

5. A cla's'p generally band shape provided a hook end and a joint end with a tongue extending to close the hook, a chain end member extending through said clasp at said joint end, means to engage and restrict said member against movement from said position at the joint end, said hook end having an aperture therein for receiving a narrowed neck portion of an enlarged end member on the other end of the chain.

6. A clasp generally band shape provided with a hookend and a joint end with a tongue extending to close the hook, a chain end member extending through said clasp at said joint end, means to engage and restrict said member against movement from said position at the joint end, said hook end having an aperture therein for receiving a narrowed neck portion of an enlarged end member on the other end of the chain, said tongue resiliently closing the entrance to said aperture.

7 A clasp generally band shape provided with a hook end and a joint end with a tongue extending to close the hook, a chain end member extending through said clasp at said joint end, means to engage and restrict said member against movement from said position at the joint end, said hook end having an aperture therein with an enlarged portion adjacent the end of the hook and a restricted portion extending therefrom for receiving a narrowed neck portion of an enlarged end member on the other .end of the chain through Said enlarged portion of the aperture.

:8. A clasp generally band shape provided with a hook end and a'joint end with a tongue extending to close the hook, a chain end member extending through said clasp at said joint end, means to engage and restrict said member against movement from said position at the joint end, said hook end having an aperture therein with an enlarged portion adjacent the end of the hook and a restricted portion extending therefrom for receiving a narrowed neck portion of an enlarged end member on the other end of the chain through said enlarged portion of the aperture, said tongue resiliently closing the enlarged portion of said aperture.

9. In combination, a chain having an enlarged end portion with a narrower neck adjoining the same, and a clasp comprising a band-shaped body member apertured to admit said narrowed neck portion, and a resilient tongue to close the entrance to said aperture and movable from closing position.

10. In combination, a chain having an enlarged end portion at each end thereof with a narrower neck adjoining the same, a clasp comprising a body member having a pair of apertures to admit said narrowed neck portion, and a resilient tongue to close the entrance tosaid apertures and movable from closing position.

11. In combination, a chain having an enlarged end portion with a narrower neck adjoining the same, a clasp comprising a body member formed of sheet stock and bent into generally band shape with a hook portion apertured to admit said narrow neck, and a resilient tongue to close the entrance to said aperture.

12. In combination, a chain having an enlarged end portion with a narrower neck adjoining the same, a clasp comprising a body member formed of sheet stock and bent into generally band shape with a hook portion apertured to admit said narrow neck, and a resilient tongue to close the entrance to said aperture and itself apertured to receive a narrow neck port-ion on the opposite end of the chain.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

EUGENE MOREHOUSE. 

